MADE by the Opera House

Established at the Sydney Opera House's 40th Anniversary in 2013, MADE by the Opera House is an Australian-Danish exchange program that, in the lead up to the 50th Anniversary in 2023, will create an alumnus group of 100 students to continue the international and interdisciplinary links first forged by Jørn Utzon's masterpiece. Each year, five students from a NSW university and five students from a Danish tertiary institution will participate in the program in Denmark and Australia respectively.

Also known as the Multidisciplinary Australian Danish Exchange, MADE is an extra-curricular program offered to Australian and Danish students of architecture, engineering and design (in the built environment) in their 2nd year of study or above.

The aims of MADE are to:

Promote international and multidisciplinary interaction between students of architecture, engineering and design (in the built environment);

Foster cultural relationships between Denmark and Australia; and

Support the knowledge and understanding of Danish architect Jørn Utzon and the Utzon Design Principles

MADE by the Opera House - Promo

Established at the Sydney Opera House's 40th Anniversary in 2013, MADE by the Opera House is an Australian-Danish exchange program that continues the international and interdisciplinary links first forged by Jørn Utzon's masterpiece.

MADE by the Opera House

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The Program

Five students will be selected for each program. The students will form a multidisciplinary team to collaborate on a six-week project, developed by the MADE by the Opera House program partners and aligned with the Utzon Design Principles.

The five MADE students will:

Be placed at a host firm for six weeks to work as a multidisciplinary team on an assigned project;

Collaborate with various prestigious built environment professionals, who will provide technical advice and mentorship;

Participate in study tours, masterclasses and workshops relevant to the program;

Submit a group project report and individual reflection statements at the end of the program; and

Have the opportunity to reside at Jørn Utzon’s Can Lis residence in Mallorca, Spain, in the week prior to program commencement.

All instruction will be conducted in English. A MADE by the Opera House representative will provide ground support to the students, including opportunities to meet MADE Alumni.

The annual program for the Australian students will take place in Copenhagen for six weeks in January-February. The program for the Danish students will take place in Sydney for six weeks in July-August.

2019 students from Australian and Denmark: have already been selected.

2020 Students from Australia:

Residency at Jørn Utzon’s residence ‘Can Lis’ in Mallorca, Spain

Sunday 5 January – Friday 10 January 2020

Six-week MADE Program in Copenhagen, Denmark

Monday 13 January – Friday 21 February 2020

2020 Students from Denmark:

Residency at Jørn Utzon’s residence ‘Can Lis’ in Mallorca, Spain

Sunday 28 June – Friday 3 July 2020

Six-week MADE Program in Sydney, Australia

Monday 6 July – Friday 14 August 2020

2021 Australian and Danish Students: to be announced in due course. Please subscribe to our newsletter updates on the main MADE by the Opera House page to be notified.

Meet the 2019 Australian MADE students:

Billie-Grace Dunk

Master of Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics)
University of Sydney
“My passion is with Acoustics and Psychoacoustics - looking at the elements of a building/project that aren't visible to the eye. And exploring how the design of a building contributes to the health of the occupants, and how it makes them feel – with a relation to sound, light, flow, and usability.”.

Jack Jeffries

Bachelor of Design in Architecture
University of Technology Sydney
“I'm an undergraduate architect with a passion for designing the way we live on the macro scale, through investigating public program, environmental integration and spatial experience. I believe that through understanding the intricate web of infrastructure and program, and harnessing technology and diverse design disciplines, this field can challenge the chaos and connect loose ends laden in a rapidly changing global society”.

Josephine Nicholas

Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil) & Bachelor of Design in Architecture
University of Sydney
“I am fascinated by the complex and varied ways in which the built environment impacts individuals and influences their lives and experiences. I am also deeply interested in exploring the impact of integrating architects, engineers, and designers early in their education on their perspectives and approaches to challenges.”

Tom Dufficy

Master of Architecture
University of Newcastle
“As student architects we have the potential to expand the definition of our practice with a balanced integration of different fields of thought. I believe in the importance of embracing emerging technologies and methodologies, but with a focus on harnessing them for holistic, socially aware, and considered architectural interventions.”

Nicholas Bucci

Master of Architecture
University of Sydney
“Appreciating the potential of multidisciplinary design has been one of many important lessons I have learnt through my experiences studying, working and travelling as an aspiring architect. For me the shared pursuit of a better design process not only brings us closer together as industry professionals but allows us to better touch and inspire peoples' everyday lives through the buildings we leave behind.”

Upon completion of the project, students will become part of the MADE by the Opera House Alumni group. By the Opera House’s 50th Anniversary in 2023, this one hundred-strong group will form a living legacy of MADE Alumni who will have a deep understanding of international design practice across disciplines and hemispheres.

The MADE Alumni is a community and a professional network that collaborates, supports and mentors each other to become the next generation’s best leaders. Beyond the professional context, the alumni group is naturally evolving on a social level – friendships for life are being formed across Australia and Denmark.

The MADE Alumni are actively engaged beyond their own six-week MADE program, ‘giving back’ and supporting MADE in many unique ways, such as:

Promoting the MADE program through lunchtime talks at their universities, their professional networks and through social media;

Assisting in the recruitment process of new MADE students;

Actively participating in future MADE programs to welcome the new MADE students, participate in masterclasses, show the visiting students around their city, and plan social trips, and

Collaborating with the MADE program partners in extra-curricular events and projects that promote multidisciplinary collaboration.

The opportunities and possibilities that the MADE Alumni can create together are endless!

MADE by the Opera House is an extra-curricular program offered to Australian and Danish students of architecture, engineering and design (in the built environment) in their 2nd year of study or above. Each year, five students from a NSW university in Australia and five students from a Danish tertiary institution will participate in the program in Denmark and Australia respectively. The students will form a multidisciplinary team to collaborate on a six-week project aligned with the Utzon Design Principles.

2. How did MADE by the Opera House originate?

In honour of Sydney Opera House’s 40th Anniversary celebrations in October 2013, the Sydney Opera House Trust and The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts - Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation, have developed MADE by the Opera House: a Multidisciplinary Australian Danish Exchange program. MADE is also supported by Arup, Steensen Varming, the NSW Architects Registration Board, The Bikuben Foundation and The Dreyer Foundation.

3. Who can apply?

You must be enrolled in a recognised university or tertiary institution in Denmark or Australia (NSW);

Be undertaking a degree in the area of architecture, engineering or design (in the built environment);

have successfully completed the second year of an undergraduate degree in the discipline of architecture, engineering or design (area of study in engineering and design must be within the context of the built environment) by:

a. (For Australian NSW Applicants) 31 December of the year before the relevant year of the Program
b. (For Danish Applicants) 30 June of the same year of the Program
c. Return to their studies after participating in the MADE program.

4. I have completed my undergraduate degree – can I still apply?

Yes, but you must provide an official offer of admission from the university/tertiary institution, or if this is not available, a Declaration of Honour written by the applicant stating the intended university, degree title, expected commencement date of studies and applicant’s signature. This applies if the applicant is:

not enrolled in a degree at the time of application (for instance undertaking a sabbatical year or work placement) and intends return to study after completing the Program, or;

in the final year of their undergraduate degree at the time of application and intends to commence a new degree after completing the Program (for instance an Honour or Master degree)

5. I have completed my Master’s degree – can I still apply?

No. However, students undertaking a Master degree are allowed to apply – except if they are in their final semester of their Master degree. That is, if they will have graduated with a Master by the time the program starts then they cannot apply.

6. I’m an international student – can I still apply?

If you are enrolled in a NSW or Danish tertiary institution and meet the requirements outlined in the MADE Application and Program Terms & Conditions you may apply.

7. I don’t hold permanent residency status in Australia – can I still apply?

If you are enrolled in a NSW or Danish tertiary institution and meet the requirements outlined in the MADE Application and Program Terms & Conditions you may apply.

8. When can I apply and when do applications close?

For Australian students applications typically open March and close at the beginning of May each year. For Danish students applications typically open September and close at the beginning of November each year.

9. Am I too old/young?

There is no age limit for MADE by the Opera House, however, demonstrated ability for future achievement in and contribution to your particular field is taken into consideration.

10. Does MADE by the Opera House allow me to obtain any tertiary qualifications/credit points?

No. Scholarships are not awarded to enable the applicant to gain or contribute towards any tertiary qualifications.

11. Can the scholarship allow me to gain work experience overseas. E.g. an internship?

No. MADE by the Opera House will not enable an applicant to work overseas. However, the support of industry organisations and foundations will encourage closer collaboration between professionals and students in the area of the built environment.

12. Do I need any qualifications to apply for MADE by the Opera House?

The applicant must have successfully completed the second year of an undergraduate degree in the discipline of architecture, engineering or design (in the built environment).

13. I have applied for MADE by the Opera House in the past – can I apply again?

Yes. If you have previously submitted an application and were unsuccessful, we encourage you to apply again and to be sure that you check your eligibility before re-applying.

14. I am already overseas – can I still apply?

Yes. However, you must be available to personally attend an interview (in person or via video call). Also if successful, you are required to be available for the entirety of the six week program period.

15. If I am called for interview but can’t make it can I be interviewed at an alternative date?

No. Interview schedules are set by Program Coordinators and must be adhered to. For applicants who are unable to make the interview in person, a video or phone call option may be offered. If you can’t make an interview you may be asked to reapply in a future year.

16. How much is the MADE by the Opera House scholarship worth?

Each student is provided with the equivalent of AU$6,000 to cover international airfares, accommodation and living expenses during their visit.

17. Will you tell me where to go and what to do?

Yes – the five MADE students will:

Be placed at a host firm for six weeks to work as a multidisciplinary team on an assigned project.

Collaborate with various prestigious built environment professionals, who will provide technical advice and mentorship;

Participate in study tours, masterclasses and workshops relevant to the program;

Submit a group project report and individual reflection statements at the end of the program; and

Have the opportunity to reside at Jørn Utzon’s Can Lis residence in Mallorca, Spain, in the week prior to program commencement.

18. Can I submit more than one application?

No. You may only submit one application per year in the country where you reside. If you are not successful you can reapply in future years.

19. Can I put in a late application?

No. The selection process follows a strict time line and therefore, no late applications can be accepted.

20. If I am successful, when is the expected travel time and dates?

If successful, Australian students will depart to Denmark beginning of January and return mid-February. Danish students will depart to Australia beginning of July and return mid-August.

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